<p class="title">Juventus have apologised after the Italian champions came under fire for posting a message on Chinese social media about the apparent suicide of a fan, which was later exposed as untrue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Serie A giants issued a message of condolence on China's Twitter-like Weibo in response to a post on the platform claiming that a fanatical supporter had committed suicide following a row online about striker Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, it transpired that Weibo user "Juventus changing room cleaning lady" -- whose real name has not been reported -- was alive and unharmed after Chinese media and police tracked her down.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The case has drawn about 40 million views and generated thousands of comments in recent days on Weibo, where many European football clubs and players connect with their Chinese followers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Juventus's post to its 725,000 followers mourning the supposed suicide triggered several days of criticism and shrill calls for the club to apologise.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a statement to AFP, the club said: "The agency in charge of Juventus social media accounts on Chinese digital platforms did a mistake by believing in what has then been revealed to be fake news, and we apologise for this."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The apology is unlikely to placate everyone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, you were also fooled," wrote one Weibo user, hitting out at the Italian club.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But if you have this title ("Juventus"), at least understand that every word you say represents the image of the club."</p>
<p class="title">Juventus have apologised after the Italian champions came under fire for posting a message on Chinese social media about the apparent suicide of a fan, which was later exposed as untrue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Serie A giants issued a message of condolence on China's Twitter-like Weibo in response to a post on the platform claiming that a fanatical supporter had committed suicide following a row online about striker Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, it transpired that Weibo user "Juventus changing room cleaning lady" -- whose real name has not been reported -- was alive and unharmed after Chinese media and police tracked her down.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The case has drawn about 40 million views and generated thousands of comments in recent days on Weibo, where many European football clubs and players connect with their Chinese followers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Juventus's post to its 725,000 followers mourning the supposed suicide triggered several days of criticism and shrill calls for the club to apologise.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a statement to AFP, the club said: "The agency in charge of Juventus social media accounts on Chinese digital platforms did a mistake by believing in what has then been revealed to be fake news, and we apologise for this."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The apology is unlikely to placate everyone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, you were also fooled," wrote one Weibo user, hitting out at the Italian club.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But if you have this title ("Juventus"), at least understand that every word you say represents the image of the club."</p>